Best Of Mike McGrattan Memorial Train - Admin Thread

[R L Smith]

This has been a nice tribute and I'm thoroughly enjoying reading both threads.  @svedblen - that took some doing - nice work.

Now, a comment and a question:

- the Special is working its way closer to my layout.  If there is anyone near Harrisburg PA who would like to see the train while it is on my layout, please PM me with your contact info and I'll give you as much heads-up as I can.

- For my photo shoot, i intend to stage the layout with rolling stock appropriate for 1964.  Unfortunately, the vehicles I have are either too old or too new. Does anyone have a few vehicles 1960-1964 they would be willing to loan me for a short while?

Ron

[Dave V]

@dougnelson, as I was working in my workshop this evening I found the ziplock baggie containing the two flags with the removable adhesive...     Sorry it didn't make it to the package I sent out yesterday.

I can mail it in a separate envelope on Tuesday AM since I don't think the train left Colorado Springs yet (and it would hopefully arrive at the same time).

[dougnelson]

I sent them if anyone else wanted to use them, but its not important.  I sent extra flags for anyone to make their own.

[eric220]

Any update on the train?  After such a breakneck pace, going 11 days without photos feels like withdrawal...

[Dave V]

I sent them if anyone else wanted to use them, but its not important.  I sent extra flags for anyone to make their own.

It looks like they caught up with the train at its very next stop, so thank you US Postal Service!

[OldEastRR]

Any update on the train?  After such a breakneck pace, going 11 days without photos feels like withdrawal...

The UP has given its freight trains priority over the McGratton one.

[Lemosteam]

The train is nearing Lomg Island and will be making its way across the elevated main of the LIRR IS over the weekend on its way to the Lavis Junction and after that point south..,

[davefoxx]

Lovely photo, and I'm not trying to preach here, but I hope not everybody now tries for a MR Trackside Photo style picture. Seeing shots of the train on partly- or unfinished sections of layouts means you don't have to be a NMRA-certified master craftsman to be worthy to showcase Mike's train. Sure, a great layout scene is nice but we're not honoring ourselves with this endeavor.  I think seeing Mike's train on Lee's very unfinished and homey-looking Falls Point layout would be just as spectacular a tribute to a well loved model rail as any pic from Great Model Railroads. And for a tribute, it's nice to have touches of the common as well as the elegant.

@OldEastRR,

I moved this conversation over to the Admin Thread.  I hope you don't mind.

In response, I don't know that I agree with you entirely.  I'm not against anyone posting pics on unfinished layouts, but I'm excited to see what my fellow 's can do.  I, for one, have been inspired to rip out a section of track and reballast the new alignment.  Without the impending arrival of the Memorial Train, I don't know that I would have gotten around to ballasting yet.  I hate ballasting.  Also, I've pushed forward on more trees for the layout in an attempt to get at least one (mostly) finished scene.  I think maybe Ed wrote it better.  Just this afternoon, he posted this:

You know, one of the things that I think @Puddington would've been proudest about the funeral train is the progress that it's inspiring some of us to make.
I know my big push toward scenery here in this update is largely being driven by the impending arrival.

http://conrail1285.com/early-october-2016-ncr-windsor-st-layout-status-update/

Lots of pics, lots of updates.

I agree, @Ed Kapuscinski.  I think that Puddy would have enjoyed this immensely.  That said, again, I have nothing to say against those who aren't farther along on their layouts.  There's nothing wrong with photographs of unfinished layouts.  I'm happy to see as many 's involved as we can, regardless of their progress.

DFF

[Lemosteam]

@OldEastRR , if you are referring to my photo, thanks!  But you might find that the only thing completed in that shot is the berm wall and track.  I took advantage age of the camera angle to hide the fact that there is no ballast or background or scenery of any kind on my layout.  You can see this fact on my layout thread.

Philosophically, I agree that my photos are tributes to Michael, and most definitely NOT taken to display my modeling or photographic skill, just ask @chicken45 !

The picture is more symbolic than model and that was the point for me, to show that he has traveled to a much better place. It just "happened".  Additional pics from me will be much more "normal", but I also felt an urgency to prepare for this humbling event like others are suggesting.

[OldEastRR]

I'm not saying we should all do this the same way, in fact I'm saying the opposite. Everybody should present his/her layout as backdrop in any way or shape he/she's comfortable with. I applaud the Trackside photo shots, but I am equally appreciative of pictures with naked cork roadbed and pink foam hills. I don't want people to see these pictures and say "Oh, my layout's not nice enough like these, so I'll pass."
This is what bugs me about MR. Their message seems to be "only super professional master craftsmen who are skilled in all aspects of model railroading are who we feature (and usually HO)." Whether they mean it or not, their coffee table book photo style really intimidates any of us lesser mortals.
We all started with projects that were less than perfect, but we were proud of having done them.  It's a spirit of inclusiveness I hope we retain. Mike's train running on our layout can be motivation to progress, or a merely photographic effort (like Lemostream's) or just plain tribute to a good guy and a keepsake for his family.
Again, I hope Lee puts the train on his Fells Point jumble of a layout, with just enough clutter moved to let the train pass. Think of it like seeing the "scenery" while riding south on Amtrak out of NYC ...

[peteski]

Would it make you happy if John posted both, the pretty Photoshopped photo, and the original unretouched photo?

Honestly, if someone has the skill to enhance the photos of the train's journey on their layout I don't see anything wrong with that. To me it makes sense to show respect to Mike by doing our best while hosting the train and documenting its travels.

As far as Model Railroader Magazine goes, it's the top model RR magazine in  US - why shouldn't they show only the cream of the crop?  Isn't that the goal of every magazine out there?   

[wm3798]

I'm enjoying wading in to some light modeling as a result of this project.  I look at it this way, if Mike could pull off the Kanto Sub under the circumstances and in the time frame he did, I can sure as heck whip up a few feet of scenery in his honor.

Lee

[Dave V]

Having the honor of hosting Mike's train gave me the shot in the arm to do a good, thorough track cleaning and preventive maintenance.  I wanted to make sure it rolled smoothly with dignity.

[bbussey]

I echo the sentiments expressed regarding "MR Trackside Photos" quality photos.  I'm the last stop for the train in the States, and I'm definitely using the extra time to get the New Haven section of the layout as "Trackside Photos" worthy as possible, for both photos and video.  Why would anyone not want to strive for the best composition he/she is capable of, especially for such a noble endeavor?  Why would I not want to have as polished a finished product as possible in the time allocated, given that I was fortunate to have a personal and business relationship with the person being honored?  That totally baffles me.

Not only is the cause worthy, but it definitely injects additional motivation to progress on the layout.  Having deadlines and being involved in projects that involve multiple participants is good incentive to get work done — one of the side-benefits of being involved in the making of this tribute.

[Philip H]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but the photoshop train left the station when Mikes photo was added to the observation car platform.